D.C. United, Comcast SportsNet announce broadcast schedule

Washington, D.C. (March 9, 2010) - In conjunction with Comcast SportsNet, the region’s premier source for television and online sports coverage, D.C. United today announced their regional television schedule for the 2010 Major League Soccer season. As part of its current partnership with United, Comcast SportsNet is scheduled to air 15 games this season, providing United supporters unsurpassed coverage of the Black-and-Red.

“United fans may again look forward to a full slate of regionally televised games courtesy of our friends at Comcast SportsNet,” said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. “We feel that our club is headed for a great season ahead and no one will bring you closer to the action than our long-term television broadcast partners.”

A clash with Eastern Conference rivals Red Bull New York on May 1 kicks off the regional television schedule. Additional highlights include a visit from Real Salt Lake, defending MLS Cup Champions, on June 5, and the team’s first trip to Red Bull Arena on July 10. Home broadcasts are scheduled to air in high definition.

“We are proud to serve as the official television home of United, one of the most-storied franchises in the region, and look forward to delivering comprehensive coverage of their upcoming season on our network,” said Comcast SportsNet Senior Vice President and General Manager Rebecca Schulte. “Our partnership with United, which has an incredibly loyal and far-reaching fan base, highlights our dedication to providing area fans with the most extensive and compelling sports programming available.”

With the team from the very beginning, Comcast SportsNet’s Dave Johnson enters his 15th season as the television voice of D.C. United. One of the premier soccer announcers in the United States, Johnson has done play-by-play of both outdoor and indoor soccer for nearly 20 years, appearing on Comcast SportsNet, Fox Soccer Channel, Prime Network, ESPN, and Pax Networks. On radio, Johnson has been behind the mike for the 2000 MLS Cup, the 2000 Gold Cup, the 2000 Olympic qualifying tournament, and several US Men’s National Team friendlies and World Cup qualifiers. His work as sports director at WTOP Radio was honored with an Edward R. Murrow Award in 2008. In the summer of 2006, Johnson served as play-by-play announcer for XM radio’s World Cup coverage and was behind the mike for 26 games including the final in Berlin.

Thomas Rongen will return to the broadcast booth in 2010 to partner with Johnson, continuing his second stint with Comcast SportsNet as a color analyst. The former United coach also spent 2002-2004 as the station’s color analyst. Rongen’s playing career began with Ajax Amsterdam from 1975-1979, before he made the move to America and the NASL in 1979. He played with the Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats and Fort Lauderdale Strikers (later the Minnesota Strikers) during his tenure in America. Rongen began his coaching career with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1989-1994) and also served during the same time as head coach for Nova Southeastern University (1991-1995), before becoming one of the inaugural coaches in MLS. He started with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1996, winning the MLS Coach of the Year Award before moving to the New England Revolution (1997-1998). Following, he joined D.C. United and led the club to its third MLS Cup in 1999. He then served as the head coach of the Under-20 United States Men’s National team (2001-2005), before being named as head coach of Chivas USA for the team’s inaugural season in 2005. He currently serves as the U.S. U-20 Head Coach.

Comcast SportsNet’s 2010 coverage of D.C. United will also include live postgame elements such as analysis, highlights and interviews in United Postgame Live or within SportsNite following each game. The network will also provide fans pregame elements and player features within Washington Post Live and SportsNite.

Broadcasting and P.A. Request: When speaking of the organization, please refer to the team as either “D.C. United” or “United,” but not “the D.C. United” or “the United.” We appreciate your cooperation.